West Ham United Scraps Plans To Increase Disabled Ticket Prices By More Than 100%

April 10, 2013

EPL club West Ham United has "backed down in a row over season ticket prices" for its disabled fans with some supporters "fearing the price of admission to Upton Park was set to double next season," according to Simon Cass of the London DAILY MAIL. News of the intended price hike "reached disabled supporters late last month when they were informed by letter of the intention to raise season ticket prices to the ''band four'' level paid by the club's able bodied fans." Although no prices were quoted in that letter, the current cost of a "band four" season ticket is £600 ($919) compared to £290 ($444) for a disabled supporter, leading to fears of a 107% rise for next season. Subsequently, West Ham vice-Chair Karren Brady "has issued a second letter claiming that the board have taken into account 'feedback' from their disabled fans and have therefore backtracked on their original 'careful' pricing review." Instead, "a new 'band five' season ticket is to be created for next season," while Brady has assured West Ham's disabled supporters that any increase will be by no more than 50% when prices for next season are released (DAILY MAIL, 4/9).